Predictors of Flourishing and Psychological Distress Among Migrants to Australia: A Dual Continuum Approach

The happiness or flourishing of migrants in their new country has important implications for health and social costs. Most migrant well-being studies only focus on psychological distress. Here, we specifically examine demographic, social, and psychological factors related to a broader spectrum of we...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of happiness studies 2019-02, Vol.20 (2), p.561-578
Main Authors: du Plooy, Daniel R., Lyons, Anthony, Kashima, Emiko S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cultural differences
Discrimination
Economics
Friendship
Happiness
Health problems
Mental depression
Mental disorders
Mental health care
Mental health services
Migrants
Migration
Personality and Social Psychology
Philosophy
Positive Psychology
Psychological aspects
Psychological distress
Psychology
Psychopathology
Public health
Quality of Life Research
Racism
Research Paper
Social Sciences
Stress
Well being
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The happiness or flourishing of migrants in their new country has important implications for health and social costs. Most migrant well-being studies only focus on psychological distress. Here, we specifically examine demographic, social, and psychological factors related to a broader spectrum of well-being, not only distress but also flourishing. A national online survey was conducted involving 1446 migrants to Australia. Drawing on the Dual Continuum Model, we examined flourishing and distress as separate outcomes. Numerous factors were associated with both outcomes, including experiences of racism or discrimination, being satisfied with new friendships and wishing to go back to one’s home country. However, some factors varied by outcome, including younger age linked to distress but not to flourishing. Also, identifying with being Australian and the source of income were some factors specifically linked to a greater likelihood of flourishing. Promoting flourishing appears to depend on a range of different factors than simply preventing distress. These findings provide a greater understanding of the unique challenges that migrants can face in mental health outcomes, and can help prevent distress and promote flourishing and happiness as goals in migrant well-being.
ISSN:1389-4978
1573-7780
DOI:10.1007/s10902-018-9961-7